IRIE | Jamaica

Favorite eatery at Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton: Bubbas Steakhouse.

Rediscovering the goodness of a Pina Colada. Daily.

Views from our villa

Matt got up at the crack of dawn to claim one of the cabanas -- my favorite retreat at our private beach cove.

A first: shower under the stars. Yes, please.

Favorite meal at the resort: Filet at Bubbas Steakhouse

Zentropia Spa

We spent the last week at beautiful Jamaica celebrating our 25th anniversary. The weather was perfect, 80s, the people friendly and the atmosphere, restful and relaxing. Everything is IRIE, mon. ENJOY our photos of paradise (more to come this week). xo Ren

For M, all my love — 

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are… 

You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” ~Bob Marley

wild horses

Thank you Ann and Skip, we had a wonderful time!

interiors

instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}
A trip to St. Louis for shopping, eating and checking out interiors…

amazing lights at Urban Outfitters…

pasta carbonara with chicken and raspberry lemonade at Cheesecake Factory {yumm}… 

Restoration Hardware, how I love thee…

the waiting game 
{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Day 2. skyline

Pinatas, Isla island, the Caribbean {2009}. Beach dreaming as I plan our summer getaway. Are you going anywhere special this summer? {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} mayphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

yep, i’m random.

i woke up inspired.

yep.

yessss. {if you don’t know who this is or what movie this is going-to-be-from, you’ve been in the dark, as in twil....}

so i have a thing for water. and really cool baths.

truth.

my next BIG party.

i really need to hit the gym. again.

covet.

covet 2. my infinity.

beauty and grace. always.

this is where i dream to be.
{various/pinterest}

How To Be An Artist #10

I played the other day. My guitar.

{various, lucy}
It’s been busy. Crazy busy. So crazy, so busy, that I forgot how much I love to sleep. But it’s gonna slow down because sometimes you just have to laugh and breathe and not get so caught up in the reality of it all. I picked up my guitar the other day. It had been months. Literally. I was thankful to remember a few chords and it felt really good, even though my fingers had that burn from not playing. So I’ll slow it down. Stay loose.

How To Be An Artist #4

I plan to.

{Gallery of Dreams} It all started here.

The Road Less Traveled

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} 

My daily jaunt to work consists of a nice drive through the backroads of spiraling countryside. As the sun was coming up and storm clouds were threatening to roll in, I found myself slowing down to keep from hitting a fawn. It’s not unusual to see deer on this road, but at that very second, with Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody blaring in the background, I had a moment. The small doe didn’t run across but languidly ran on the road and I slowly followed behind until she ran off into the tall grass. You know those moments where everything slows down and you see things clearly, and it’s perfect. 

Those moments exist and are most apparent when you are someplace different and taking in all the new sites and sounds … but clearly, it’s everywhere, even home. 

I’ve been reminiscing about distant places lately which brought my attention to one fellow traveler. I was inspired by his gumption and fearless attitude to live his dream. His name is Colin Wright and from the great town of CoMo. It’s inspiring to see someone young achieve what others may view as unattainable, but I believe most dreamers who are doers, do in fact succeed. It doesn’t hurt that he looks like a young Ethan Hawke and after receiving a quick reply from him, I had to smile at his motivational and networking skills. {By the way, Colin, I rarely watch TV, especially reality shows or So You Think You Can Dance … so that road block will never happen. However, the stupid voice comes in the form of my thinking, “I don’t want to end up like that guy who thought he could live with grizzly bears, only to be eaten up by one.” But thank you for keeping the traveling designer dream alive.}. Creative inspiration came from him this week, so I will place this shameless plug (he’s all over the map so one more won’t hurt) for Mr. Wright.

{source}

Edge of desire

A few things that inspire and make me desirous and happy. I wish for earnestly …
Beach house BEDS
King’s SPEECH … keep calm
Frenchie and everything you need to TRAVEL
HUNGER Games, the movie. Can not wait! 

I ♥BOOKS

{VINTAGE} The Boxcar Children
Happy ELEPHANTS
PARIS tote
I had a BELT like this once. Loved it. Want it.
Coolest DRYLINE … in my study … in my office.
♥ this sign.
I have a ridiculous obsession with BAGS.

Ex Libris

“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.” —Desiderius Erasmus

Every weekend, I find myself avoiding and putting off my to do list: practice guitar, work out, CLEAN and redecorate my study/library. And then I saw this image. How do I covet thee? My fantasy library in the woods? Possibly. I would spend hours there. The piano is a nice touch but since I haven’t played in years, I can only fantasize about Mr. Pattinson tinkling the ivories.

I digress. This room inspires creativity and mischief … what’s that fireman’s pole doing there? Hmmm, time to clean my study! {sources: library; Vanity Fair}